Commander in speech

President Barack Obama challenged graduates of UC Irvine to fight cynicism and climate change during his commencement speech at Angel Stadium on Saturday, fueling them with the inspirational word that defined his 2008 presidential campaign and resonated with youth who helped sweep him into office.

Hope.

“Cynicism is a choice,” Obama said. “Hope is a better choice.”

The nearly 30-minute address before a crowd of about 30,000 pushed ideas unveiled in his recent Climate Action Plan, which seeks to cut carbon emissions from power producing plants by 30 percent to 2005 levels.

He also made news, announcing a $1 billion fund to help communities prepare for climate change problems.

He urged the nearly 6,700 graduates and thousands of their supporters to not feel “overwhelmed” by people who deny the existence of climate change. Obama, who drew a parallel to President John F. Kennedy’s proposal to land on the moon during a 1962 speech at Rice University, took a few political jabs at those in Congress who question the science of global warming. He pointed out that one member of Congress told him climate change is a result of “dinosaur flatulence.”

“When President Kennedy set us on a course for the moon, there were a number of people who made a serious case that it wouldn’t be worth it; it was going to be too expensive, it was going to be too hard, it would take too long. But nobody ignored the science,” Obama said. “I don’t remember anybody saying that the moon wasn’t there or that it was made of cheese.”

The challenge of climate change resonates most deeply with the generation that graduated Saturday at Angel Stadium. A Gallup Survey found that 78 percent of Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 believe climate change is real and will have an effect on the earth during their lifetimes.

Tiffany Lin, a 22-year-old who graduated with a degree in psychology, said the theme of Obama’s speech needs to be heard regularly.

“I feel the challenge of climate change is even bigger than going to the moon,” Lin said. “The moon is important, but it’s a distant place. It’s not as important as taking care of the place where we live.”

Obama’s speech Saturday was his first college commencement in California. It coincided with UCI’s 50th anniversary – an event dedicated by President Lyndon B. Johnson just one day after the Civil Rights Act passed Congress.

Obama offered a simple reason for speaking at UCI, which sent 10,000 postcard requests to the president:

“You asked.”

His speech, while heavy on climate change policy, did offer some humor as well. Standing on a stage set up in straightaway center field, he thanked Mike Trout, the Angels outfielder, for “letting me cover his turf for a while.”

President Barack Obama addresses graduates and faculty on Saturday during commencement ceremonies at UC Irvine. BRUCE CHAMBERS, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
President Barack Obama waves to the UC Irvine graduating class of 2014 while flanked by UC Pres. Janet Napolitano, at left, and Chancellor Michael Drake during the 2014 commencement ceremony at Angel Stadium. MINDY SCHAUER, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
President Barack Obama shares a laugh with UC President Janet Napolitano during UC Irvine's 2014 commencement ceremony at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. Obama was the keynote speaker. MINDY SCHAUER, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
President Barack Obama delivers the keynote speech during the UC Irvine 2014 commencement ceremony at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Saturday. MINDY SCHAUER, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Family and friends attending the UCI commencement ceremony at Angel Stadium shield themselves from the hot sun Saturday afternoon. BRUCE CHAMBERS, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Before giving the graduate student speech at the UCI commencement, Dr. Jessica Dawn Pratt turns to President Barack Obama to thank him for coming to the ceremony. BRUCE CHAMBERS, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Saturday afternoon, President Barack Obama speaks at the UCI graduation ceremony at Angel Stadium, Anaheim. BRUCE CHAMBERS, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Graduates from the UCI School of Nursing Science are led to their seats at Angel Stadium for the commencement ceremony. BRUCE CHAMBERS, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
A member of the Class of 2014 takes a selfie with his cellphone before the start of the graduation ceremony in Anaheim. BRUCE CHAMBERS, STAFF PHOTOTRAPHER
United States President Barack Obama joins students and faculty of the University of California, Irvine, on the platform of the UCI commencement ceremonies giving the sign of the UCI Anteater and saying "Zot, Zot". Obama was the keynote speaker Saturday afternoon at Angel Stadium, Anaheim.
BRUCE CHAMBERS,
, BRUCE CHAMBERS, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
President Barack Obama waits in the wings while being introduced at UC Irvine's 2014 commencement ceremony. The President was the keynote speaker at the ceremony in Angel Stadium in Anaheim. MINDY SCHAUER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Graduates of UCI react to being put on the big video screen set up for the UCI commencement ceremony at Angel Stadium, Anaheim. President Barack Obama arrived shortly afterward and gave the keynote address. BRUCE CHAMBERS, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
President Barack Obama delivers the keynote speech during the UC Irvine 2014 commencement ceremony at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Saturday. MINDY SCHAUER, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Upon arrival to the UCI commencement ceremony at Angel Stadium, President Barack Obama acknowledges the cheers of the crowd. Janet Napolitano, president of the University of California system, is to Obama's left. BRUCE CHAMBERS, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Graduates of UCI react to being put on the big video screen set up for the UCI commencement ceremony at Angel Stadium, Anaheim. President Barack Obama arrived shortly afterward and gave the keynote address. BRUCE CHAMBERS, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
A UCI graduate strips off her robes and fans herself with her mortar board as she waits in the heat for the start of the UCI commencement ceremony at Angel Stadium. BRUCE CHAMBERS< STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
A UCI student takes a selfie with his cell phone while waiting for President Barack Obama to arrive for the commencement ceremony at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. BRUCE CHAMBERS, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Graduates of UCI react to being put on the big video screen set up for the UCI commencement ceremony at Angel Stadium, Anaheim. President Barack Obama arrived shortly afterward and gave the keynote address. BRUCE CHAMBERS, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
UC Irvine student Laura Doan, 27, center, and Christopher Foglesong, 34, both with the School of Medicine, await President Barack Obama's appearance at Angel Stadium on Saturday. MINDY SCHAUER, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
President Barack Obama and students and faculty of UC Irvine flash the sign of the Anteater, the school mascot, after he addressed the Class of 2014 on Saturday at Angel Stadium. MINDY SCHAUER, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERPresident Barack Obama joins students and faculty at the UCI commencement ceremonies giving the sign of the UCI Anteater and saying "Zot, Zot". Obama was the keynote speaker Saturday afternoon at Angel Stadium, Anaheim.
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BRUCE CHAMBERS, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
UC Irvine student Laura Doan, 27, center, and Christopher Foglesong, 34, both with the School of Medicine, await Pres. Barack Obama's appearance at Angele Stadium on Saturday. Pres. Obama was the keynote speaker at the commencement ceremony where he told students not to let themselves get held back by cynicism.
MINDY SCHAUER,
,
MINDY SCHAUER, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
President Barack Obama joins students and faculty of the University of California, Irvine, on the platform of the UCI commencement ceremonies giving the sign of the UCI Anteater and saying "Zot, Zot". Obama was the keynote speaker Saturday afternoon at Angel Stadium, Anaheim. BRUCE CHAMBERS, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERUnited States President Barak Obama joins students and faculty of the University of California, Irvine, on the platform of the UCI commencement ceremonies giving the sign of the UCI Anteater and saying "Zot, Zot". Obama was the keynote speaker Saturday afternoon at Angel Stadium, Anaheim.
BRUCE CHAMBERS,
,
BRUCE CHAMBERS, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
After giving the graduate student speech at the UCI commencement ceremony, Dr. Jessica Dawn Pratt, is congratulated by President Barak Obama. Pratt earned a degree in ecology and evolutionary biology which tied in with Obama's address on global climate change and sustainable energy.
BRUCE CHAMBERS,
,
BRUCE CHAMBERS, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
After giving the graduate student speech at the UCI commencement ceremony, Dr. Jessica Dawn Pratt, is congratulated by President Barack Obama. Pratt earned a degree in ecology and evolutionary biology which tied in with Obama's address on global climate change and sustainable energy. BRUCE CHAMBERS, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Members of the UCI Vermillion Vocalist acapella group entertain the crowd waiting for the UCI commencement ceremony at Angel Stadium, singing "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen. BRUCE CHAMBERS,, BRUCE CHAMBERS, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
President Barack Obama addresses graduates and faculty on Saturday during commencement ceremonies at UC Irvine. BRUCE CHAMBERS, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
President Barack Obama speaks at the UCI graduation ceremony at Angel Stadium. BRUCE CHAMBERS, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
President Barack Obama waves in the direction of members of the media as he boards Air Force One at Palm Springs International Airport Saturday. Obama was traveling to Orange County to deliver the commencement address for UCI graduates at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif. ALEX GALLARDO, ALEX GALLARDO AP

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